Hair Follicle Drug Testing - La Valle, WI

What it is, How it works

Hair follicle analysis is regarded as an effective method for detecting alcohol and drug consumption. Hair captures a prolonged record of alcohol and drug usage by embedding biomarkers within the shaft of the growing hair. When sourced near the scalp, hair can offer up to a 90-day detection period for alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to gather, relatively hard to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of around 200 hair strands (roughly the diameter of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for both screening and verification. For EtG, extensions, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a larger 150mg sample is advisable. It's suggested to measure the sample using a jeweler’s balance. If head hair is not accessible, a similar quantity of body hair might be collected. When referring to head hair, it specifically means scalp hair. Body hair includes all other forms of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four fundamental stages in the lab processing of a drug test outcome include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the initial sample processing within a laboratory's framework. This involves ensuring the sample was correctly sealed and dispatched, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data input not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails a preliminary rapid assessment for substance abuse. Although Screening is an economical means to eliminate drug usage in most samples, a positive result must be substantiated to be valid in legal proceedings. All samples that appear positive during Screening necessitate an additional validation.

If a sample tests potentially positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at markedly lower concentrations than through other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug analysis the most challenging procedure to execute.

Validation of any positive screening finding is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples presumed to be positive are cleansed before confirmation as necessary. The complete lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug utilization for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which possess a shorter detection period.
• Tamper resistance: It is exceedingly tough to deceive a hair drug test, thus enhancing the reliability of the outcomes.
• Historical usage pattern: It provides insights into drug use over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect immediate use: It generally requires 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically costlier compared to other drug testing approaches.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and personal discrepancies in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentration in the hair.

Note: Often termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand, not the follicle located beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in La Valle, WI, outshines urine testing by offering superior detection accuracy and reliability. Unlike urine tests, which cover a shorter detection window, hair tests provide a 90-day analysis period, making them more reliable for tracking long-term substance use. Employers and officials favor hair tests due to their enhanced resistance to tampering, ensuring that results are not only precise but also trustworthy.

Extended Detection Window

In La Valle, WI, hair follicle testing is esteemed for its extended detection window, offering drug use insights up to 90 days. This extended period allows employers to gain thorough insights into a candidate's or employee's past substance use. Such comprehensive background checks help in making informed hiring and retention decisions, reducing the chances of workplace incidents related to drug abuse significantly.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

For those in La Valle, WI, concerned about the integrity of drug tests, hair follicle testing provides a tamper-resistant solution. Its design prevents the adulteration common in other testing methods, yielding results that are both reliable and credible. By using hair samples, this testing method guarantees that the sample is genuine, offering peace of mind to employers and legal authorities demanding unwavering accuracy in drug testing.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenience is key in La Valle, WI, with our nationwide and local testing centers offering easy access to services. With a presence in numerous locations, our comprehensive network ensures that candidates and employees can undertake testing without logistical challenges. This widespread availability simplifies the testing process, making it a straightforward and hassle-free experience for everyone involved.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in La Valle, WI, is straightforward and confidential. Initiating an order is simple, participating in the test is secure, and obtaining the results is discreet. This approach respects privacy while maintaining clarity and user-friendliness throughout the entire process, addressing any concerns that individuals may have about handing sensitive information during drug testing.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

For businesses in La Valle, WI, seeking an economically viable testing solution, hair follicle testing offers competitive pricing and swift results. This method is both cost-effective and efficient, catering to companies of all scales. It ensures they receive value without compromising on quality or speed, enabling them to maintain a consistent and reliable drug testing routine that aligns with their budget and operational timelines.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In La Valle, WI, hair follicle testing offers unparalleled precision and rapidity. It excels in detecting substance consumption with its high accuracy rates. By analyzing hair samples, the test delivers reliable results, swiftly identifying traces of drugs or alcohol in an individual's system. This method surpasses others by eliminating uncertainties, ensuring that the findings are both fast and trustworthy, providing peace of mind to all stakeholders involved.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in La Valle, WI, relying on hair follicle testing enjoy compliance with drug-free workplace policies, effectively mitigating legal risks. This testing method supports businesses in upholding their safety protocols, ensuring a secure work environment. By consistently implementing these tests, companies can assure stakeholders of their commitment to a safe and responsible employment culture, strengthening trust and organizational integrity.

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What's New In Hair Follicle Drug Testing according to the Hair Drug Testing Experts

With its multidisciplinary nature, hair testing brings together researchers, scientists, and experts from various domains to develop innovative techniques, explore new methodologies, and address emerging concerns, responding to the ever-evolving challenges of drug abuse, therapeutic drug monitoring, and environmental exposures to pollutants.

The joint meeting of the Society of Hair Testing (SoHT) and the Italian Group of Forensic Toxicologists (GTFI) was organized in Verona, June 8–10, 2022, and hosted by the Legal Medicine team of the Verona University Hospital, directed by Franco Tagliaro together with Federica Bortolotti and Rossella Gottardo.

It served as a prominent platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration, facilitating groundbreaking advancements in hair testing and analysis. In this special issue of Drug Testing and Analysis, we aim to showcase the remarkable manuscripts presented at this significant event, shedding light on the latest research and highlighting the future directions in this field.

Novel Analytical Techniques: The Verona meeting witnessed the unveiling of cutting-edge analytical techniques, offering enhanced sensitivity, selectivity, and accuracy for drug testing. Remarkable advancements in sample preparation, detection, and identification of drug compounds have been presented. The manuscripts in this section presented novel approaches, such as multianalyte methods and on-line preparation which can enable rapid analysis and improve thorough forensic investigations.

Biomarkers and Pharmacokinetics: The identification and validation of reliable biomarkers and pharmacokinetic studies are fundamental aspects of drug testing and analysis. The impact of hair treatments on the oxidation/decomposition of drugs in hair was also explored, as the long-term fate of drugs incorporated in the keratin matrix. Furthermore, the SoHT meeting in Verona featured research on the identification and quantification of alcohol abuse biomarkers, their stability, and their correlation with exposure and other biomarkers.

Forensic Applications and Interpretation: One of the vital objectives of hair testing is its application in forensic investigations and legal proceedings. The SoHT meeting in Verona emphasized the significance of rigorous interpretation of analytical results and the need for standardized protocols. Manuscripts in this section present advancements in forensic toxicology, and have explored the challenges posed by emerging designer drugs and strategies to combat their proliferation. The pitfalls encountered when the exogenous/endogenous nature of a substance is questioned were presented and discussed. The special issue presents also manuscripts that delve into the ethical implications of drug testing in drug facilitated sexual assaults.

Clinical Applications of hair testing are witnessed by the insight on environmental tobacco smoke exposure, assessed by hair analysis in a population of students and the study of in utero-exposure to drugs of abuse through neonatal hair analysis. Exposure to drugs was also important in cases of child abuse/neglect, when the clinical purpose of hair testing merge with its forensic applications.

The legal framework surrounding hair testing and the achievement of guidelines to ensure fairness, accuracy, and confidentiality in drug testing practices have also been discussed,and the SoHT consensus on general hair testing and testing for drugs of abuse was presented at the meeting and published as a Letter to the Editor.

In conclusion, the special issue of Drug Testing and Analysis, featuring manuscripts from the SoHT–GTFI meeting in Verona 2022, reflects the remarkable advancements achieved in this field. The manuscripts provide valuable insights into novel analytical techniques, biomarkers, pharmacokinetics, forensic applications, and ethical considerations. As we embrace these advancements, we pave the way for a safer, healthier society, where drug testing and analysis serve as powerful tools in protecting public health and maintaining integrity in various sectors. The research presented in this special issue will undoubtedly shape the future of drug testing and analysis, fostering collaboration and inspiring further innovation in this crucial area of scientific inquiry.

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